US hardwood exports to China rise

The value of United States hardwood exported to China rose 4.8 percent year-on-year to $520 million between January and April. That was thanks to China's fast-growing real estate and eco-friendly building materials markets, said the heads of US exporters.

"Rising wages in China have created an exploding middle class, and new, additional demand for US hardwood products," said John Chan, regional director for Southeast Asia and China of the American Hardwood Export Council. "All the new homes, hotels, shopping centers, restaurants and office blocks being built in China need flooring, cabinetry, doors and windows, as well as building materials made using wood products," he said. "The potential is immense."

Exports of US hardwood products to China in 2015 were valued at more than $1 billion, and have more than doubled over the past five years.